Red Sox agree to terms with right-handed pitcher Andrew Bailey on one-year contract
BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox today agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Andrew Bailey on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2012 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Terms were not disclosed.
The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington.
Bailey was acquired by Boston from Oakland on December 28, 2011. The 27-year-old right-hander converted 24 of 26 save opportunities (92.3 percent) for the A's in 2011, the second-highest success rate among American League closers. He posted a 3.24 ERA (15 ER/41.2 IP) in 42 relief appearances overall with Oakland last season, compiling 41 strikeouts compared to 12 walks while holding opponents to a .218 average (34-for-156).
Selected by the A's in the sixth round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Bailey has converted 75 of 84 (89.3) save opportunities while posting a 2.07 ERA (40 ER/174.0 IP) in three Major League seasons from 2009-11, the third-highest save percentage in the American League in that time (min. 40 chances) and second-lowest ERA among relievers (min. 125.0 innings).
With today's agreement, designated hitter David Ortiz and right-handed pitcher Alfredo Aceves are the only remaining unsigned Red Sox players eligible for salary arbitration.
Read More: Boston Red Sox